Grave box



Ian. 22, 1929.

L. A. UNLAND GRAVE BOX File Nov.l8, 1926 Patented den. 22, 1929.

GRAVE BOX.

. Application fi1cd November 18, 1926. Serial No. 14.9 .1653.

This invention relates to grave boxes and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind formed of galvanized sheet iron or the like and which is constructed in a manner to ctl'eotively prevent for a pro tracted period of time the liability of a. grave caving; in.

lit is also an object of the invention to'provide a bout of this kind which may be readily shipped in a knoclcdown form or if desired. may be shipped in assembly with an empty casket housed therein.

The invention consists in the details of can struction and in the cou'ibination and arraupeinent of the several parts of my improved ave box whereby certain iunaortant advant sare attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will. hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better iuulerstood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a grave box constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken lengthwise through the structure as illustrated in Figuic 1, with the central portion broken away;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the structure as herein disclosed;

Figure l is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view. illustrating the connection between a side wall and an end wall. of the box;

Figure is a fragmentary vertical section al view taken through the end portion of the lid illustrating the connection between an end plate and the body portion of the lid.

As herein disclosed, my improved box comprises the side walls 1 and the end walls 2 each formed of galvanized sheet ironor the like, the end walls 2 being provided with side flanges 3 whereby the same may be connected to the extremities of the side walls 1 by galvanized stove bolts 4:-

The major portions of the side walls 1 and the end walls 2 are transversely corrugated from end to end and the lower marginal portions of each of such walls are rolledoutwardly to provide turther strengthening; means. The upper marginal portions of said sidewalls l and end walls 2 are unob- The lid l,- is formed of galvanized sheet iron or the like and comprises an arched booy portion (5 corrugated transversely from one end to the other, the eatreimties of said body portion 6 being" defined by the inwardly dis posed flanges 7 whereby the end 11d plates 8 may be secured to the body portion by the galvanized stove rivets 9.

'llhe downwardly facing channels 5 are preferably formed byprovi di ug the free 1narginal portions of the body portion 6 and the end platesfi with the reverted flanges 10.

The lower marginal portions of the side wallsl in the assembled box are connected by the. cross members or rests 11 substantially in the foriuof an inverted U. The extremities ot each of said members or rests 11 are defined by the upstanding flanges 12 whereby said members or rests may be effectively secured to the lmver narginal portions of the side walls 1 by galvanized stove bolts 14-.

By the use of stove bolts it is possible to ship my improved grave box in a knockdown form, the stove bolts readily permitting the desired assembly of the box by the casket maker or undertaker. In initially forming the various parts of the box it is to be understood that they have properly punched therein the requisite openings for the proper insertion of the bolts.

My improved box can, if preferred, be shipped in assembled form and if desired with an empty casket housed therein. l/Vhen so shipped it is preferred that the casket be attired to the cross members or rests 11 by suitable screws threaded into the bottom of the casket from below the members or rests l1.

It is to be understood that such a shipment is to be from the producer to the undertake-r or other distributing agent.

Each end wall 2 has suitably afixed thereto the handle members 15 and the opposite end portions of the lid L are also provided with the handles 16.

As hereinbefore described, it is to be noted that the assembled box is bottomless. It is not essential that a box of this kind be provided with a bottom as it is not the purpose to have my improved box any more waterproof than the general type of wooden boxes now used. It is the purpose of my improved box to keep the filled grave for a protracted period of time from caving in. The corrugations of the various plates together with the reinforcement afiorded to the structure by the cross members or rests 11 serve to give to the assembled box pronounced strength capable of withstanding considerablepres sure.

If it should be preferred, however, a bottomplate 17 of a size to snugly fit within the lower portion of the assembled box may be employed. This bottom plate when applied contacts from above with the members or rests 11 and is preferably secured thereto by galvanized stove bolts 18.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a grave box constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason a of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susoeptible of somechange and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

1. A grave box comprising side and end walls, the top and bottom of the box being open, alid engageable with the upper portions of the walls for closing the top of the box, said walls being of a material height, and rest members interposed between and connected to the lower portions of the side walls of the box, said members being spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the box, said rest members being substantially in the form of an inverted U in cross section with the free edges of said rest members substantially flush with the lower edges of the walls of the box.

2. A grave box comprising side and end walls, the top and bottom of the box being open, a lid engageable with the upper portions of the walls for closing the top of the box, said walls being of a material height, rest members interposed between and connected to the lower portions of the side Wallsof the box, said members being spaced apartin a direction lengthwise of the box, said rest members being substantially in the form of an inverted U in cross section with the free edg s of said rest members substantially flush with the lower edges of the walls of the box, a bottom wall insertible within the box through the open top and resting from above on the rest members, and means for securing the bottom wall tot-he rest members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

LOUISA. UNLAND. 

